Automatic transmission
WARNING:
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It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
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Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before exiting a vehicle, always come to a complete stop, then apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and turn the ignition OFF. When the ignition is in the OFF mode, the transmission is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
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When exiting the vehicle, always make sure the ignition is in the OFF mode, remove the key fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
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Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Children should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selector.
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Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a location accessible to children), and do not leave the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could operate power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION:
Damage to the transmission may occur if the following precautions are not observed:
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Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
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Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle speed.
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Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
Note:
You must press and hold the brake pedal while shifting out of PARK.
IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK
Your vehicle is equipped with a Ignition Park Interlock which requires the transmission to be in PARK before the ignition can be turned to the OFF mode. This helps the driver avoid inadvertently leaving the vehicle without placing the transmission in PARK. This system also locks the transmission in PARK whenever the ignition is in the OFF mode.
BRAKE/TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) system that holds the transmission gear selector in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift the transmission out of PARK, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode (engine running or not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The transmission gear position display (located in the instrument cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. You must press the brake pedal to move the gear selector out of PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System” in this section). To drive, move the gear selector from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when shifting between these gears.
The transmission gear selector provides PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and AutoStick (-/+) shift positions. Manual shifts can be made using the AutoStick shift control. Moving the gear selector into the AutoStick (-/+) position (below the Drive position) activates Autostick mode, providing manual shift control and displaying the current gear in the instrument cluster. In AutoStick mode, tapping the gear selector left (-) or right (+) will manually select the transmission gear. Refer to "AutoStick" in this section for further information.
Gear Selector
GEAR RANGES
Do not depress the accelerator pedal when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range.
Note:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating. This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to move the gear selector out of PARK. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
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Apply the parking brake.
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Shift the transmission into PARK.
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Turn the ignition OFF.
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Remove the key fob from the vehicle.
WARNING:
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Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when exiting the vehicle to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
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Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to move the gear selector out of PARK with the brake pedal released. Make sure the transmission is in PARK before exiting the vehicle.
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It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
-
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before exiting a vehicle, always come to a complete stop, then apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and turn the ignition OFF. When the ignition is in the OFF mode, the transmission is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
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When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the ignition is in the OFF mode, remove the key fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
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Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Children should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selector.
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Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a location accessible to children), and do not leave the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could operate power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION:
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Before moving the transmission gear selector out of PARK, you must turn the ignition to the ON/RUN mode, and also press the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector could result.
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DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can damage the drivetrain.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that you have properly engaged the transmission into the PARK position:
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When shifting into PARK, firmly move the gear selector all the way forward and to the left until it stops and is fully seated.
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Look at the transmission gear position display and verify that it indicates the PARK position.
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With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine may be started in this range. Apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the vehicle.
WARNING:
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices that limit your response to changing traffic or road conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION:
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission damage.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A Disabled Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while towing a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick shift control (refer to “AutoStick” in this section for further information) to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will improve performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operating limits, the powertrain controller will modify the transmission shift schedule and expand the range of torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to prevent transmission damage due to overheating.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may be modified depending on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm up time of the engine and transmission to achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this section). During extremely cold temperatures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation may briefly be limited to only second gear. Normal operation will resume once the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
AUTOSTICK
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature providing manual shift control, giving you more control of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance. This system can also provide you with more control during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situations.
OPERATION
When the gear selector is in the AutoStick position (below the DRIVE position), it can be moved from side to side. This allows the driver to manually select the transmission gear being used. Moving the gear selector to the left (-) triggers a downshift and to the right (+) an upshift. The current gear will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will shift up or down when the driver moves the gear selector to the right (+) or left (-), unless an engine lugging or overspeed condition would result. It will remain in the selected gear until another upshift or downshift is chosen, except as described below.
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The transmission will automatically upshift when necessary to prevent engine over-speed.
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The transmission will automatically downshift as the vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will display the current gear.
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The transmission will automatically downshift to first gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the vehicle is accelerated.
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You can start out, from a stop, in any gear except top gear. Tapping (+) (at a stop) will allow starting in SECOND gear. Starting out in SECOND gear can be helpful in snowy or icy conditions.
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If a requested downshift would cause the engine to over-speed, that shift will not occur.
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Avoid using speed control when AutoStick is engaged.
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Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when AutoStick is enabled.
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The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a fault or overheat condition is detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, return the gear selector to the DRIVE position. You can shift in or out of the AutoStick position at any time without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.
WARNING:
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or personal injury.
TRANSMISSION LIMP HOME MODE
Transmission function is monitored electronically for abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains in SECOND gear regardless of which forward gear is selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to operate. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp Home Mode allows the vehicle to be driven to an authorized dealer for service without damaging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the following steps:
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Stop the vehicle.
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Shift the transmission into PARK.
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Turn the ignition OFF.
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Wait approximately 10 seconds.
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Restart the engine.
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Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal operation.
Note:
Even if the transmission can be reset, we recommend that you visit an authorized dealer at your earliest possible convenience. An authorized dealer has diagnostic equipment to assess the condition of your transmission.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer service is required.
OVERDRIVE OPERATION
The automatic transmission includes an electronically controlled Overdrive (top gear). The transmission will automatically shift into Overdrive if the following conditions are present:
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The gear selector is in the DRIVE position.
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The transmission fluid has reached an adequate temperature.
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The engine coolant has reached an adequate temperature.
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The vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
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The driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle. A clutch within the torque converter engages automatically at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly different feeling or response during normal operation in the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during some accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.
Note:
The torque converter clutch will not engage until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm (usually after 1 to 3 miles [2 to 5 km] of driving). Because the engine speed is higher when the torque converter clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal. Using the AutoStick shift control, when the transmission is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the transmission is able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
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